The Difference Between Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil and Da'wah
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Question:
Some people assume that da'wah (calling others to Islam) is the exclusive domain of scholars, and that it is not permissible to engage in da'wah based on what one has learned. What is your guidance on this matter?
Answer:
This is not a mere assumption; it is the reality. Da'wah is not carried out by anyone but scholars. I say this: only scholars carry out da'wah. However, a person enjoins good and forbids evil according to his knowledge. He commands his family to pray, and he commands his family to obey Allah and the truth. This is required even of a scholar. A scholar commands his family to pray and commands his children to pray in the mosque. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Command your children to pray at the age of seven, and beat them for it at the age of ten." He also said, "You are all shepherds, and you are all responsible for your flocks." This is called guardianship; it is called enjoining good and forbidding evil. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 49a
Therefore, it is required of a worker that he command his family to pray, pay zakah, obey Allah, and avoid sins. He must purify his home from sins and raise his children in obedience. This is required of him even if he is an ordinary person, because everyone knows this; the matter is clear. However, issuing fatwas, explaining what is halal and haram, and explaining shirk (associating partners with Allah) and tawhid (the oneness of Allah) are not carried out by anyone but scholars. They are not carried out by anyone but the people of knowledge. Yes.
Some people assume that da'wah (calling others to Islam) is the exclusive domain of scholars, and that it is not permissible to engage in da'wah based on what one has learned. What is your guidance on this matter?
Answer:
This is not a mere assumption; it is the reality. Da'wah is not carried out by anyone but scholars. I say this: only scholars carry out da'wah. However, a person enjoins good and forbids evil according to his knowledge. He commands his family to pray, and he commands his family to obey Allah and the truth. This is required even of a scholar. A scholar commands his family to pray and commands his children to pray in the mosque. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Command your children to pray at the age of seven, and beat them for it at the age of ten." He also said, "You are all shepherds, and you are all responsible for your flocks." This is called guardianship; it is called enjoining good and forbidding evil. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart
مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرًا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ.Therefore, it is required of a worker that he command his family to pray, pay zakah, obey Allah, and avoid sins. He must purify his home from sins and raise his children in obedience. This is required of him even if he is an ordinary person, because everyone knows this; the matter is clear. However, issuing fatwas, explaining what is halal and haram, and explaining shirk (associating partners with Allah) and tawhid (the oneness of Allah) are not carried out by anyone but scholars. They are not carried out by anyone but the people of knowledge. Yes.
Source
من يلزمه الدعوة — alfawzan.live
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.